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In the last three days, football friendlies with South Africa have been called off by two countries. Zambia were due to host South Africa in Lusaka on Saturday, but pulled out of the match on Tuesday in protest, citing "prevailing security concerns" following the violent attacks on foreign-owned shops in Johannesburg and Pretoria. Madagascar were lined up to replace Zambia, with the fixture to be staged in Johannesburg, but Madagascar has pulled out of playing the game, citing security reasons as well.  In a statement, the Malagasy Football Federation said, "... after having agreed with Malagasy national institutions in particular regarding the security of the delegation of Madagascar and Malagasy nationals in South Africa, it was found necessary and judicious to decline the invitation." South Africa's Football Federation, SAFA, tweeted earlier, "SAFA regrets to inform the public that the match between Bafana Bafana and Madagascar scheduled for thi...

The Chipolopolo of Zambia were to face the Bafana Bafana of South Africa in a friendly match on Saturday, September 7, but the match has been called off by Zambia's football association. The Football Association of Zambia in a statement on Tuesday evening announced,  “The Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) regrets to inform members of the public that the international friendly match between Zambia and South Africa that was scheduled for National Heroes Stadium on Saturday, 7 September 2019 has been called off in view of the prevailing security concerns in South Africa. "FAZ General Secretary Adrian Kashala has relayed the message to the South African Football Association (SAFA) about the decision." FAZ General Secretary, Adrian Kashala, said Zambia would now play Namibia in a friendly on Monday. South African Football Association (SAFA) Communications Manager Dominic Chimhavi acknowledged receipt of the memo from FAZ, saying, “We have just received correspond...